Box Turle Summer Internship Program

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ORNATE BOX TURTLE SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Summer Session: May through August

About the program
Summer interns at Colorado Reptile Humane Society are primarily focused on studies on wild T. o. ornata, our native ornate box turtle (see Colorado Box Turtle Project for more details). For 2012, we will be radio tracking numerous turtles to better understand home range and habitat preferences. This work takes place on the eastern plains, involves early mornings, working as part of a team, and field data recording. Data entry and analysis is also part of the internship.

During summer 2012, expect to go out to the field 3-4 times per week, leaving Longmont as early as 5:00 am. We will take 1-2 trips within Colorado conducting surveys for box turtles; one trip may be as long as 2 weeks.

Under the direction of the Lead Intern, you will gain hands-on experience with morphometric data measurements of wild turtles plant identification tracking (radio telemetry) turtles home range calculation map creation.

Other duties
Summer Interns may also provide care for many shelter chelonians (turtles and tortoises). CoRHS shelters approximately 75 chelonians during summer. Other duties involve working with lizards, snakes, and amphibians with opportunities to gain hands-on experience working with many different reptile and amphibian species, including captive-bred foreign and native-born wildlife. This includes daily observations of eating and other normal behaviors, habitat development, enrichment, and maintenance, growth measurements, and socialization where appropriate.

CoRHS interns learn skills such as safe animal handling techniques, cleaning and disinfection procedures, habitat enrichment, diets, food preparation and feeding methods, and may assist experienced staff and volunteers with first-aid treatment procedures.

Expectations
Interns at CoRHS are self-motivated individuals who can both work independently and as part of a team as well as follow established procedures and make suggestions for improvements. Good observational skills are critical as are writing and speaking skills. Interns are required to work during CoRHS's annual open house, Sunday, June 24th, 2012.

Working Conditions
Much of summer work takes place outdoors; Colorado summers are very hot, dry, and sunny. Indoor working conditions are also hot and sometimes also humid.

If you are interning for school credit or have a specific school project that needs to be completed during your time with us, please let us know when you apply.

Recommended prior experience
Previous experience in animal care with reptile, turtle, and amphibian wildlife or domesticated animals is helpful. Degrees (or in progress) in the natural sciences, wildlife management, or environmental education are preferred but we consider interns from any background.

Time requirements and Stipend
We require interns to work a minimum of ten weeks, 30 hours per week (or more if desired) for the course of the summer. We expect to begin the week of May 13 or May 20, 2011. Dates can be flexible and we work together to form a schedule that accommodates everyone. A $500 stipend is provided.

Transportation
Your own transportation to and from the shelter must be provided. It may be possible to car pool with staff or volunteers depending on the specifics of the situation.

Housing
There is currently no on-site housing at CoRHS. If you are coming from a distance, you will be responsible for finding your own housing. However, we are available to make recommendations on affordable housing in the area.

How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, letter of recommendation from an employer or professor, and Internship Application. They can be emailed to volunteer@corhs.org or mailed to:

Colorado Reptile Humane Society
Attn: Summer Intern Program
13941 Elmore Road
Longmont, Colorado 80504

Due Date
Applications are due on or before March 1st, 2012.
Due to insurance reasons you must be 18 or older to apply.

A. E. (Ann-Elizabeth) Nash, Executive Director Colorado Reptile Humane Society (CoRHS) www.corhs.org